Jones too talented, eases to Seacoast Security Classic championship

LeRoyer, Weatherwax, Roberts, Berry win other flights after 54 holes

By Ken Waltz | Jun 29, 2014

Photo by: Ken WaltzPeter Lynch hits out of a bunker near the 14th green on the Rockland Golf Course June 29 during the third and final round of the Seacoast Security Classic golf tournament. Participants enjoyed hot, beautiful weather during the three-day, 54-hole competitive individual stroke play event.

Rockport — Ricky Jones is one of the most accomplished Midcoast amateur golfers to ever place a white ball on a tee and the Thomaston resident put another notch in his illustrious, and lengthy, championship belt by easily outdistancing the field to capture the three-day, 54-hole Seacoast Security Classic golf tournament.

The event, played on the Samoset Resort, Goose River and Rockland golf courses Friday through Sunday, June 27-29, included a 53-golfer field to start, although a few competitors withdrew during the event.

None of that matter as Jones took care of business, shooting 70-76-72—218. He outdistanced runner-up Jamie Boutin (73-87-73—233) by 15 shots.

Jones held a 10-stroke lead over Chris Seavey heading into the final 18 holes at Rockland, a layout where Jones holds the course stroke record of an eye-opening 60.

While he did not challenge some of his best 18-hole scores during the weekend's play, Jones thought he played consistent, if not spectacular. He said his swing felt a little "loose" as he prepares for another Maine Amateur championship bid in the coming days.

The Samoset is a par-71 for men and women, Goose River 72 for both and Rockland 70 for men and 72 for women.

The Samoset layout typically is challenging, but recent heavy rains and tough pin placements made it tougher for many – with only four golfers able to break into the 70s — during Friday's first round. Goose River, with its elevated and small greens and tough terrain, which does not often give a player level footing, was a challenge. Rockland is a fairly open layout but is longer and has plenty of challenges.

It turned out to be no surprise that Jones dominated the field. His golf resume is extensive and impressive. He has won three Maine Amateur titles, five Paul Bunyan championships, the Maine Open crown, six Mid-Maine Amateurs, he is a three-time U.S. Amateur qualifier, three-time Publinks qualifier and three-time Mid-Amateur qualifier.

Jones was a standout for state Class A champion Rockland District High School back in the day and starred in golf at Division I University of Maine in Orono.

Jones, a longtime member of the Rockland Golf Club who now plays out of the Samoset, said he had periods over the weekend when he played the way he is capable of, but other times when his game "disappeared." He said he has fought a habit of hooking the ball. "I know I'm coming over the top but I just can't stop it," he said.

Jones, who carded 11 birdies of the 54 holes he played (as well as a bundle of pars, and a few bogeys and double-bogeys), said he has to continue to work on his overall game for the larger tournaments he plays each summer, but felt he putted fairly well during the weekend.

He said it is nice to have a stroke play tournament back in the Midcoast. In fact, it was fitting he won the first Seacoast Security Classic event since he had won the previous Knox County Amateur title four or five times.

"This tournament is a good thing," he said. "I'd like to see more people play in it … Tournament golf is a little bit different than going out and playing normally."

Jones lives in Thomaston with his wife, Christienne, and children, Chloe, 13, and Rhys, 9.

The Seacoast Classic, spearheaded by director Bob Carter, is a new event with an old, somewhat historic, Midcoast flavor.

The competitive individual stroke play tourney is the next generation of the former Knox County Amateur Championships held in the 1980s and 1990s.

The event's major sponsor is Seacoast Security, while Courier Publications/VillageSoup is the media sponsor.

Although it will be played on three Knox County courses, the event is open to all golfers, regardless of which course they play or from what area of the state they reside.

The individual tourney for men and women will award prizes in gross and net. Prizes will be awarded by flights. There will be additional awards for seniors and juniors.

The post-tourney banquet was held in the Sandbagger's Cafe in the RGC clubhouse.

Carter said the tourney plans to make a donation to Knox County Humane Society and PAWS Animal Adoption Center.

Scores

The following are the overall scores, with golfer's first round score at the Samoset, second round score at Goose River and third round score at Rockland, along with overall gross and net total listed:

The pin winners at Goose River were: Jon Wickenden, 12 feet 8 inches on the eighth hole; Peter Lynch, 17-2 on the ninth; Paul Quijano, 17-3 on the 15th; and Jon Hardy, 25-0 on the 17th.

The sweeps winners at Rockland were: Adam Lynch first gross and Charles "Chum" Berry first net in A Flight; Art Schrom first gross and Dave Cook first net in B Flight; Mark McGuirl first gross, Mike Weatherwax first net and Dean Sasek second net in C Flight; and Paul Quijano, first net in D Flight.

The pin winners were: Henry Garretson, 9-4 on the fifth hole; Jon Hardy, 19-7 on the ninth; Art Schrom, 16-6 on the 10th; and James Anderson, 9-1.5 on the 18th.

Staff Profile

Ken Waltz has been member of the media 30 years and has received hundreds of Maine Press Association and New England Press Association awards for his writing, photography and page design. He studied journalism at the University of Maine in Orono. He lives in South Thomaston with his wife, Sarah. The couple has an adult son, Brandon.